Real stories

Ryan reflects on the difference between a look and a stare, sharing his own experiences with his views on how society behaves towards people with a visible difference.

Andrew wants young people to know that life with a visible difference can turn out well.

Amanda felt ostracized by her friends when she transitioned to secondary school. Now she's encouraging others to speak out about bullying and get support.

Georgia has two sons, Theo and Jude, who were both born with clefts. She wants to educate people to be more accepting of difference.

Ela, 11, was born with a bilateral cleft lip and cleft of the soft palate. Ella and her parents share her journey of acceptance and how Changing Faces has helped.

Confronting the harmful attitudes towards visible difference helped Ryan see disfigurement as a legitimate part of who he his.

Finding a community helped Bronwen regain her confidence. Now she campaigns to support other people with visible differences.

Craig, 12, is a Changing Faces Youth Action Group member. He wants people to understand what it's like to live with a visible difference.

Against the odds, Rhona, who has a cleft lip and palate, became a singer. She now helps people with visible differences feel comfortable.

Sam is a Changing Faces champion who has a cleft lip and palate. He and his mum Claire explain how they cope with people's reactions.

Marcus is a Changing Faces champion with a facial cleft. Meeting people with visible differences has helped him build resilience.